COLIN CHAPMAN CROMBAC, GERARD

This authorized biography explores the life and achievements of one of the most celebrated automotive designers. From penniless beginnings as an engineering student in North London, Colin Chapman went on to build the world-famous Lotus car company and establish himself, in Jackie Stewart's words, as the 'most creative designer of racing cars in the history of motor racing.' Originally published in 1986 and written with the full cooperation of Chapman's widow and Lotus, this is the definitive biography of the brilliant engineer. All of Chapman's creations are examined, including all of the Lotus grand prix cars that became world-famous, winning seven constructors' and six drivers' World Championships.

Mike Lawrence shows how Chapman operated in a fast-moving, highly pressurized world of international racing and car making that generated huge rewards and temptations. The crunch came when he became involved with the ill-fated Delorean car company.

Colin Chapman – legendary racing car designer, founder of Lotus, one of the true greats of motorsport – has been the subject of several biographies but this new one is really special. Endorsed by his family and with a foreword by his son Clive, this all-color hardcover tells Chapman’s story in comic-strip form. Beautifully drawn and historically accurate, this brilliant book will enlighten and charm motorsport enthusiasts in equal measure.

The Lotus Elite was a turning point for Lotus. First produced at the end of the 1950s, it marked Lotus' transition from a maker of small racing cars, which had limited utility on the road, to the producer of a highly sophisticated road and race car. In the Elite, Lotus exploited its knowledge of new technology and racing pedigree to produce a car which, with its glass fibre monocoque and Coventry Climax engine, had the potential to be a world beater. This book gives an insight into the reasons the car was produced and its importance in Lotus' history, especially in the production of lightweight innovative cars. Through interviews with Elite owners, first hand accounts provide a good overview of owning one of these iconic cars, covering its foibles and quirks as well as its exemplary roadholding, handling and performance. Illustrated with many colour photographs, along with period advertising material, the book provides a valuable insight into owning, running and racing these iconic cars.

This latest stunning book from award winning publisher Coterie Press, Ian Walker Racing, The Man and His Cars, explores the life and times of Ian Walker. “Walker The Talker” as he was frequently referred to, was an astute businessman whose life offered many challenges. Ian Walker and Ian Walker Racing were prominent names in motor racing in the 1960’s alongside that of Colin Chapman and Lotus, with whom he enjoyed a great friendship. Ian Walker embraced almost all forms of post-war motorsport, from rallying to racing, from driver to team manager, from car manufacturer to car dealer, all achieved in just ten years. As a racing driver he was part of a unique band of North Londoners who would etch their names into the history of motor racing in the late fifties and early sixties. Behind the wheel of a Lotus Eleven he won the 1957 Autosport production sports car championship, almost repeating the feat the following year with one of the first Lotus Elites. Apart from a very successful year racing a Sprinzel Sebring Sprite, Ian Walker was almost always associated with Lotus, both as a driver and team owner. In this latter capacity he ran numerous examples of the marque and even developed his own fastback racing version of the Elan. His exceptionally high standards of preparation and presentation saw Ian Walker Racing universally recognised as the Lotus ‘B team’. Consequently he would provide drives for three future world champions, Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Stewart, along with a host of other talented drivers including Mike Spence and Paul Hawkins. This exhaustive book looks chronologically at Ian Walkers life, the cars he built and raced, and the people that were part of his great adventure during the heady period of the 60’s, a time that began the transformation of motor racing into the business it has since become.

F1 Mavericks is the story of the grandest, most influential, and most fondly remembered era in Formula 1 racing as seen through the lens of master motorsports photographer, Pete Biro. The period from 1960 to 1982 saw the greatest technological changes in the history of Formula 1 racing: the transition from front engines to rear engines, narrow-treaded tires, massive racing slicks, zero downforce, and neck-wrenching ground effects—and, of course, a staggering increase in performance and reduction in lap times. In short, the period saw the creation of the modern Formula 1 car. This is also the time when legendary names who defined F1 were out in full force: Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Dan Gurney, Sir Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Bruce McLaren, Jody Scheckter. We’ll see and meet all of them. But F1 Mavericks also focuses on the designers and engineers behind the cars—men like Colin Chapman, Sir Patrick Head, Maurice Philippe, Franco Rochhi, Gordon Murray, and many others. We’ll hear directly from many of them, including a foreword from 1978 F1 World Champion, Mario Andretti. Every chapter is a photographic account of key races throughout the period, supplemented with sidebars featuring key designers and technologies, like wings, ground effects, slick tires, turbochargers, and the Brabham “fan” suction car. F1 Mavericks is an international story, and includes loads of information on designs from Japan (Honda), Britain (McLaren, Tyrrell, Cooper, BRM) Italy (Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo), France (Matra, Ligier, Renault), Germany (Porsche, BMW) and the United States (Eagle, Shadow, Penske, Parnelli). Strap yourself in for the story of the greatest era in Formula 1 racing—it's all here in F1 Mavericks.